Tractor loaders



Aug. 5, 195s R. L. BEYERSTEDT `E'rm A TRACTOR LOADERS Filed June 6,'1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug 5, 1958 R. LVpBEYERsTEDT ErAL 2,846,096

TRACTOR LOADERS www I@ I IIINIITI QM; n

Filed June 6, 1955 n. l.. BEYRs'n-:D-r Erm.

Aus 5,1958

TRACTOR LOADERS 5 sheetsjsneets Filed June 6. 1955 R. L. BEYERSTEDT ETAL Aug. 5, 195s TRACTOR LOADERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 f Filed June 6, 1955 Aug. 5. 1958 R. L. BEYERSTEDT ETAL 2,846,096

TRACTOR LOADERS Filed June 6, 1955 5 31169105.5118 5 CMeUVW/ENTZS!d United States Patent O TRACTOR LOADERS Ralph L. Beyerstedt and Julius C. Laegeler, Jr., Libertyville, Ill., assignors to The Frank G. Hough C0., a corporation of Illinois Application June 6, 1955, SerialNo. 513,246

16 Claims. (Cl. 214-140) This invention relates to tractor loaders and more speciiically to an improved arrangement of the various components thereof to produce a tractor loader which is easy to operate and service.

'In the art of tractor loaders having a bucket or earthworking tool extending forwardly of the tractor, it has been found that the type of tractor having the operators station or compartment disposed forwardly of the tractor engine results in a tractor loader having many operating eiciencies over a front end tractor loader wherein the operators compartment is disposed rearwardly of the engine compartment. In the construction and use of these front end tractor loaders, wherein the operators station is disposed forwardly of the tractor, a number of problems have arisen. Firstly, due to the size and weight of the various components of the tractor loader such as the body carrying the engine Vand operators compartment, the earth-Working tool, and the traction means, the interconnection and relative disposition of these elements is critical and a properly balanced unit has been difficult to obtain. Secondly, it is usually necessary that the traction means carrylelements such as the clutches and brakes for the traction means and these in turn must usually be positioned closely beneath the body of the tractor. Since the brakes and clutches of the tractor must be periodically serviced, their noted position has rendered servicing a difficult, time consuming and expensive task.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an arrangement of the various necessary elements of a front end type tractor loader wherein proper balance of the entire loader is achieved, and wherein access may be readily had to any mechanisms carried by the traction means beneath the body of the tractor.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a front end type tractor loader wherein the body of the tractor may be tilted relative to the traction means to permit convenient access to any clutch or brake mechanisms carried by the traction means.

Other objects and the features of the present invention will be apparent upon a perusal of the following speciiication and drawings of which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a tractor loader constructed according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the structure shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Figure l with the body of the tractor tilted to one position;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of a portionof the structure shown in Figures 1 and 3;

Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the traction means with the body of the tractor removed and looking from the forward end of the traction means; and

Figure 6 is a partial three-quarter perspective view of the clutch and brake mechanisms carried between the track frames.V

The present embodiment is the preferred embodiment r, ICC

2 but it is to be understood that changes can be made in the present embodiment by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

For a detailed description of the present invention reference is made to the drawings; The tractor loader of the subject invention may be said to generally comprise three components, namely, the body of the tractor, the traction means of the tractor, and the earth working tool means.

The body of the tractor comprises a longitudinal chassis or frame member 10 to which the other members of the body are mounted. An engine compartment 11 having an engine disposed therein is mounted on the frame 10 substantially at the rear thereof. Forwardly of the engine compartment 11 is an operators compartment 12 having a forwardly facing seat 13 mounted therein and the various necessary control elements such as levers 14. A transmission 15 is further carried by the frame 10 and is operatively connected by means (not shown) to the engine in the engine compartment 11. T he details of the engine and the transmission 15 are not shown since these may be of any suitable type well known in the art. importantly of the transmission 15, is the output or driven shaft 16 which may be easily seen in Figure 4. At each longitudinal side of the frame 10 substantially at the center thereof is mounted a pair of depending brackets 17. To each bracket 17 is secured one half of a bearing 18. The bearings 18 are positioned along a common axis transversely of the body of the tractor and that axis lies forwardly and below the center of gravity of the body. The bearings 18 need not be positioned strictly as described, however, when so positioned and when the earth-working tool is mounted to the body, a well-balanced unit is achieved. Another half of a bearing 19 is provided for each of the bearings 18, and means are provided for securing the halves togetherto form a complete bearing on each side of the body of the tractor. The bearings 18 and 19 mate or cooperate along a surface lying in a plane which is inclined upwardly and rearwardly of the body of the tractor when the body of the tractor is disposed substantially horizontally as can be seen in Figure l. The bearings 18 and 19 provide the primary supporting means for the body of the tractor on the traction means. The rearward portion of leach side of the frame 10 is provided with a clevis 20 as can be seen in Figure 6. The cooperation of the clevises 20 and the bearings 18 and 19 with the traction means will be described below.

The traction means of the present embodiment comprises a crawler track mechanism. The crawler track mechanism comprises a pair of spaced apart track frames 21 to which the other portions or elements of the traction means are mounted. The track frames 21' are interconnected by a pair of transverse support bars 22 and 23. A final drive housing 24 is also mounted to the track frames 21. The final drive housing 24 which may be of any type Well known in the art comprises a cast or fabricated housing having a rear wall 25, a bottom Wall 26, a front wall 27, a removable cover 28, and 'a pair of axially spaced members 29. The axially spaced members 29 are mounted to the track frames substantially at the rear ends thereof to support the rear portion of they final drive housing 24. 'Ihe forward end of the final drive housing 24 is supported by a pin 30 which is mounted through the front wall 27 of `the nal drive housing 24 and is journaled through'the front transverse support member 23. The `axially spaced members 29 carry a shaft upon which the driving sprockets 31 are mounted. Power input to the final drive housing 24 is through a Ishaft to which the universal joint 32 is mounted as can be seen in Figures 4 and 5. Power train means (not shown) are provided within the nal drive housing 24 4betweentl1einput -to -theiinal drive housing and the fmentsuforzrotatingitbe y'shafts"33 to operate the clutches will'be' described below. fThe brakes within the final drive 'housingf'l24iare=operatedthrough the shafts 34 which are operativelyconnected -thereto. The linkages for causingnrotationof the 'brake' shafts `34 will be described be- ;low. yEach ofthe track'frames'Zl Yis further provided `with aplurality'.offflowertrack rollers 35 which are ro- .tativelyl'mountedon theunderside thereof. Each of the 'trackframes'Zl fare further provided with a plurality of upper track rollers '3d-which are rotatively mounted Vthereto'as canbe seen 4inligure 5. -A pair of front idler .wheels 37 fare. rotatively mounted inA a pair of members 38 which are in turn slidablymounted on the track frames .21. iThe Inembers `38am connected to a pair of track tensioning'assembliesI 39. mounted on the track frames 21"through a pair `of-rods`40- --A pairof continuous tracks `41i'of any type-welltknown in lthe-art-are mounted about -thefspro'eket 'wheels 31, the lower rollers 35 and the upi per rollers 36 and thefront'idlerwheels 37.

Apair 'of' beams 4or box-channel members-42 are provided. The beamsl'42 are secured as by welding to Ethe transverse support members 22 and 23. The beams -142are positioned on top-ofthe transverse' support members 22 and 23 substantially adjacent tothe track frames 21- as can be seen in Figure 5. A pair of substantially Ytriangularlyfshaped ilangesl3 are secured in a spaced -apart 'relationship to each other to each of the beams k4,2. The upper end ofY each pair of ilanges 43 is provided with a stub shaft 44 secured therebetween. The stub shafts 44,-the.pairs vof flanges 43,` and the beams 4Z are' formed of a size having suthcient strength to support the weight of ,the body of the tractor and the load of the earth-working tool, and these elements are so positioned that the stub shafts 44 lie vslibstantially midway between theaxes of the sprockets 31 and the'front idler wheels 37and substantially adjacent the upper section of the tracks 41. The stub shafts 44 are further formed to have a diameter substantially lequal to the diameter of the bearings formed by the'bearing members 13 and 19 previously described.

Thebody of the tractor is mounted on the traction means by positioning the body so lthat the bearing elements 18 cooperate with the stub shafts 44, permitting the bearing elements 19 to be positioned about the lower 'portiontof the stub shafts 44'and fastened to the bearing elementslS. When the'body ofthe tractor is mounted in'this manner to the traction means, the body is swing- .ableor pivotable about theaxis through the stub shafts 44. The body ofthe tractor is limited by theiinal drive housing '24from any substantial pivotal movement relative to'xthe traction means in a counter-clockwise directiontas -v'iewed in Figure l, however, the body of the tractorfispivota'ble a substantial amount in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure l, wherein the forward portion of the 'body will move downward between the track frames 21xas'can be seen in Figure 3. The back wall of the final `drive housing 24 is formed to have a .pair-of 'flanges-45 thereon at the upper side edges thereof and'the anges'45 havey openings therethrough which larefaligne'd'with the openings in the clevis 20 y4? when the body of the tractor is in `a substantially horizontal position as Shown inv-Figure l. Pins 46 are then mounted through the clevises 20 and the anges i5 to secure 'the body of the tractor against any pivotable movement relative to the traction means.

Turning next to a description of the power train between the body of the tractor and the traction means and the control linkages therebetween, a universal joint 47 is mounted on the end of theoutput shaft 16 and is connected tothe previously described universal joint 32 to complete the powertrain from the engine within the body of the tractor to the nal driveY housing` l24 of the traction means. The universal joints 32 and 47 are positioned to substantially intersect the -axis'through the stub shafts 44. When the body of the tractor is pivoted relative to the traction means the universal joints 32 and 47 will pivot about their various axes of pivoting, each to a degree dependent upon their particular rotational position, and thusit maybeseen that vthe body of the 4tractor may be pivoted .relative to the traction means without disconnecting thepowertrain between the body of the tracor and the traction means. -A1though, only one method of extending the power trainto the traction means in any tilted position ofthe body without disconnecting the power train from the bodyv or thetraction means has been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited to Vthat specic construction.

To operate the clutches andbrakes within the final drive housing 24 a pair of levers 50 are provided. Each of the levers 50 comprise three arms S1, 52 and 53 disposed at-an angle to each other as can beseen in Figure 4. Each of the levers 50 is pivotablyfmounted on a shaft 54, and each of the shafts 54- are secured on one side of the iinal drive housing 24 -between vthe'inal drive housing 24 and plates 55. The plates `55 are mounted on either side of the nal drive housing 24. The shafts 54 are positioned substantially parallel-Sand adjacent to the. axis through the stub shafts 44. Theupper arms 51 of each of the levers 50 are-each connected to a link 4S by means of a ball joint 49. ,The4 other end of each link 48 is pivotally connected to a cam assembly'56 by means of a ball joint 64. Each of the cam assemblies 56 is pivotally mounted by means of a pin S7 onto the cover 28 of the final drive housing 24. Each of the operating shafts 33 for the clutches within the iinal drive housing 24 is provided with alever 58 which is secured thereon. The free end of each of the levers-58 is formedv to-have a roller assembly 59v secured thereon `and carrying a roller 60. The coiledv springs 61 mounted between the cover 28 of the final drive housing 24 and the roller assembly 59 tend to bias the-.rollers 60- against the lcam assembly 56. The clutches within the naldrive housing 24 are normally engaged and ,in that position the levers 58 and the cam assemblies 56 are disposed in the position shown in Figure 6. Moving the 1inks48 towards-the rear of the tractor causes the cam;assemblies 56 topivot, with the cam assembly 56 on the right sideof the tractor pivoting in a clockwise direction when viewed from above, and with the cam assembly S6 on the leftside of the tractor pivoting in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed from above. 'Each ofthe respective levers 58-is then caused to pivot toward the center of the tractorto disengage the clutches within. the iinal drive housing 24. Each 'of the cam assemblies 56 is [formed to have a circular shoulder 62 upon which the rollers 60 will ride as the cam assemblies 56 are furtherA pivoted. Thev shoulders 62 of the cam assemblies 56 maintain the clutches within the iinal drivehousing 24 disengaged as the-links 48 are moved further rearwardly pivoting the cam assemblies S6. The purpose of the shoulders'GZ on the cam assemblies 56 is to permit the operation of the clutches and the brakes for each sprocket 31 by a single` operating lever with the clutches disengaged before' the brakes may be applied.

The lower arm 52 of each of the levers 50 is pivotally connected to the rod end of a single actinghydraulic ram 6,5. The head endl ofeach of the hydraulic .rams

v6'5 is pivotallymounted vto the side of the nal drive housing 24 by means of pivotal mounting means 66. When the hydraulic rams 65 are operated, the levers 50 will bel pivoted to move the links 48 toward the rear of the tractor. The coiled springs 61, previously described, will return the levers 50 to the normal unoperated position such as shown in Figure 4 to cause the hydraulic rams 65 to be retracted to the unoperated position. The lower arm 53 of each of the levers 50 is pivotally mounted to a link 67. The other end of each of the links 67 extends upwardly into the body of the tractor and is pivotally mounted to one leg `of a bell crank 68. Each of the bell cranks 68 is pivotally mounted within the body of the tractor at a convenient position, and the other leg of each of the bell cranks 68 is pivotally connected to a link-69. 'Ihe other end of each of the links 69 is pivotally mounted to another bell crank 70. The bell cranks 70 are also mounted at a convenient position within the body of the tractor forwardly and below the operators compartment 12. The other leg of each of the bell cranks 70 is pivotally connected through a link 71 to the casing of a hydraulic valve 72. The plunger of each of the hydraulic valves 72 is pivotally mounted to an arm 73. Each arm 73 is secured to the hub of one of the operating levers 14 which are pivotally mounted at the forward wall of the operators compartment 12. Each of the valves 72 and the corresponding hydraulic ram 65 form part of a hydraulic servo-mechanism. This hydraulic servo-mechanism may be of any suitable type well known in the art, and further comprises hydraulic conduits, and hydraulic pump and reservoir means (not shown). With the hydraulic servo-mechanism shown in the drawings, as one of the levers 14 associated with one of the valves 72 is operated to a certain degree, that hydraulic valve 72 will be opened to cause a flow of hydraulic lluid into the vassociated hydraulic ram 65. That hydraulic ram 65 will then pivot lever 50 to in turn move links 48 and 67. This movement of link 67, operating through the described linkage, will cause a corresponding movement of the hydraulic valve 72 to close that hydraulic valve 72. Thus, the described linkage in cooperation with the other elements of the arrangement provides for a correspondence between the movement of the levers 14 and 50. As is well known in the art, these conventional hydraulic servomechanisms reduce the force that would be required by the operator of the loader in moving the lever 14 to cause a corresponding movement to the lever 50 if that movement were to be done only through the mechanical linkage. Since the hydraulic rams 65 are single acting, the coiled springs 61 are used to return the levers 50 to normal. With the above described arrangement it has been found that when the body of the tractor is pivoted to aposition'such as shown in Figure 3 the described linkages between the operators compartment 12 and the clutches in the nal drive housing 24 will pivot relative to the traction means and the body, to thereby enable the body of the tractor to be pivoted as described without disconnecting the described linkages at any point. Although, only one arrangement tfor the clutch linkages has been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited to that specific arrangement.

For operating the brakes within the final drive housing 24,"a pair of levers 75 are provided. Each of the levers 75 is also mounted on one of the shafts 54 adjacent one of the levers 50, as can be seen in Figure 5. Each of the levers 75 has an upper arm 76 and a lower arm 77. Each of the upper arms 76 is provided with a stop or pad 78. Each of the stops 78 is positioned to extend into the path of travel of the associated lever 50 and is cooperable with a pad 79 secured to the upper arm 51 of that lever 50, as can be seen in Figure 6. Thus for example,` when lthe lever 50 on the right side of the tractor is pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure '4, the pad 79 on the upper arm 51 will abut againstthe pad 78 on the upper arm 76 of the` lever 75 after acertainarc travel of the lever 50 and will then abut the pad 78 is selected as that point at which the clutches are completely disengaged through movement of the link 48 when the associated roller 60 will be riding upon the circular shoulder 62 of the associated cam assembly 56. The lower arm 77 of each of the levers 75 is pivotally connected to one end of a link 80. The other end of each of the links 80 is pivotally connected to one end of a brake arm 81. As previously described, the brakes within the final drive housing 24 are operated by the shafts 34 extending from each side of the final drive housing 24. An adjusting bracket 82 is keyed to each of the shafts 34. A second brake arm 83 is provided and the brake arms 81 and 83 are interconnected as a bell crank. The outer end of the arm 83 is adjustably secured to the adjusting bracket 82. When the brake arm 81 is pivoted in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4, the brake within the nal drive housing 24 associated therewith is applied. The adjusting bracket 82 and the brake arm 83 permit an external adjustment of the brakes to compensate for brake wear. A pair of coiled springs 84 are also provided, and each of the coiled springs 84 are connected between the final drive housing 24 and the upper end of the brake arm 81 to bias the brake shaft 34 associated therewith to a position corresponding to an unoperated condition of the brakes within the tinal drive housing 24. Thus it may be readily seen that when the lever 75 on the right side of the tractor as shown in Figure 4 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction by the lever 50 after the clutch associated therewith is disengage-d, the arm 77 operating through the link 80, the brake arm 81 and the brake arm 83 will pivot the adjusting bracket 82 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4 to apply the brake associated therewith. To further strengthen the connection between the brake arm 81 and the brake shaft 34, additional means may be provided to directly secure the brake arm 81 to the brake shaft 34 in any adjusted position. It is further evident that when the lever 50 is restored to the normal position as shown in Figure 4, the coiled spring 84 on the right side of the tractor will restore the brake arms 81 and 83, the adjusting bracket 82, the brake shaft 34 and the lever 75 associated therewith to the normal unoperated position as shown in Figure 4. It has been found lwith the arrangement described above that the body of the tractor may be pivoted to a position such as shown in Figure 4 without effecting the described elements for the operation of the brakes and without requiring the disconnection of any of the linkages for operation of the brakes. Although, only one arrangement for the brake linkages has been described, it should not be inferred that the invention be limited to that specic arrangement.

In summary it should be noted that the present invention discloses an arrangement for a tractor wherein a power train is extended from the body ofthe tractor to the traction means, wherein operative means are provided within the operators compartment in the body of the tractor for operating clutch and brake elements Within the traction means, and importantly, wherein the body of the tractor is pivotable relative to the traction means to accomplish a certain result to be described below and without the necessity for disconnecting any of the described operating and control means for the tractor.

Turning next to a detailed description of the earthworking tool arrangement of the present invention and the cooperation of the tool arrangement with the previously described tractor, a boom is provided in duplicate portions disposed on each side of the body of the tractor. One end of the boom 90 is pivotally mounted to the body of the tractor by means of pivotal mounting means 91. The boom 90 is positioned to extend forwardly of the tractor and the forward end of the boom 90 is provided with a pair of skid shoes 92 and extending links-93. A ,bucket 94 of.any type :wellrknovvn in the art, is pivotally'mounted to the extending links 93 through pivotalg-mounting zmeans 95. ,Tov raise :and lower the hoorn 90a pair. of hydraulic rams 96 areA provided. V'Each of the hydraulic rams 96 is .pivoted at thehead=end thereof to one side` of the framethrough pivotal mounting means 97. The rod1end of -eachof the lhydraulic rams 96 is pivotally mounted to vone'portion of the1boom 90 rintermediate the ends thereof througha bracket-98I andpivotalmounting means .99. 'To .control theposition of the `bucket-94 relative to the boom 94B alinkage arrangement vcomprising a pair of hydraulic rams100,na pair ofe levers;101,l and apair of links 102 is provided. 4Each Vof the hydraulicirams 100 is-pivotally mounted .at thevheadlend-thereof -to the bodyof the tractor through pivotal mounting means 103. The rod end/ of eachk of `the ,hydraulicy rams 100 is pivotally mounted to one endvof one'rof the .-levers 101 by pivotal mounting means 104. Each ofthe levers 101 is pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof to one portion of the ,boomv'90 intermediate the ends thereof through a bracket 105 and pivotal mounting means 106. AThe other end of-each llever 101 and one-end of 'oneof the links 102 is pivotally interconnected by means of pivotal mounting, means V107. The other end of each link 102 ispivotally mounted. to the bucket 94 through pivotal mounting means 108. Hydraulic fluid conduits, pumps, and valves (notshown) are provided foroperationof the hydraulic rams 96 and 100.

vIn operation, the hydraulic rams/96am operated to properly position 'the height `of the bucket94for digging and vthe tractor is then moved to cause the bucket 94 to digintoany material being dug. The hydraulic rams 100 areoperable to control the'digging angle of the bucket, and when substantially extended cause the bucket 94 to be -pivoted'to a carrying-position. To-dump the-bucket 94, the hydraulic rams 100- are substantially retracted.

ReferringV next to ajdetailed descriptionsofthe operation vof the earth-working tool` in cooperation with the tractor Vto perform additional functions,it has been found that if "the pins 46 are'withdrawn from the clevises 20 and the anges 45, 'if further the bucket^=94 is secured against any .upward movement, and if the hydraulic rams 96 are `then extended, the body ofthe tractor will be pivoted to raise therear half of the tractor above the final-drive housing 24 and to lower the forward end of the body of the tractor between the track frames 21. :This action can be continue-d until the body of the'tractor reaches a position lsuch. as shown inFigure 3. This permits easyr-access to be had to the -top of the lfinal drive housingi24.

ln the structure .of a tractor loader as described above it is desirable to gain accessk to the top of the tinaldrive housing by some simple means. The clutches and brakes within the nal drive housing often require servicing and repair or-replacement. This maybe easily accomplished whenthe body of the tractor is in `a-pos'ition such as shown in Figure 3. yThe inspection covers 63 can be removed for minor adjustments within the iinaly drive housing 24. To. gain full access tothe clutches and brakes within the finalfdrive housing 24, it is merely necessary to disconnect the? links 48 from the camassemblies 56, and to then remove the cam assemblies 56, the levers 58, and to` then unboltLand remove `the cover28 of the iinal drive housing 24.

rRather than secure the bucket 94 lagainst any upward movement, it has been found that by pivotally mounting a link.110 to the boom 90 through mounting means-111 and to the track frameZl on the right side of the tractor throughmounting means 112 when the body is in the horizontal position, and by then extending the hydraulic rams 96, the body of the ltractor will be pivoted to raise the rearward end thereof to the position shown in Figure 3. A link 113 is then mounted at one end thereof .to the clevis` by means of a pin 114 and at the other end there- Iofwto fthe; ange.--.4S g on the Vright aside-,- ofgfthe I.tractor :by

-I neansgof. a; pin 115 torsecure the. Abody.: of thetltractor against :l anyV accidental lowering; of. the'rearwardnportion of thezbody'through a contraction oftthe rams/96. Y"After Ythe clutches andrbrakes within theiznalidrive vhousingc2t1 lhave beengserviced-org adjusted the .cover l28; oihthe. inal drivethousing 24 :may be replaced,:thefleversuSSzandithe .cam asser`r1blies'f56k replaced, and the linksr 48. reconnected torthe cam'A assemblies .56. The: linkr113 is then :removed and-the-:zbody of :the-.tractor is vturned-,to the-'thorizontal position by a contractionwoffthe rams96. lReplacement of the lpins 46.: and removal ofsthe link11r10 returns 'the .loader rtonormal.

Having describedA the f invention, what isi considered new and desired 'to`belprotected by Letters :Patentfis:

l.' in combination, 'tractor tractionwmeans including `elements normally requiring periodic servicing, 2 atractor body-.carrying la tractorfengine, :pivot vmeans)mounting saidtra'ctorflbody-on said'tractortraction-meansfor pivoting= abouty a transverse axisA positioned substantiallyy vertically below andforwardlyof 'the centerof-gravity of said -body Jsufficiently to compensate for. the weight'of any forwardly'extendingtoolimeans carried by said'body to providea-'balanced unit, said'pivot means being further formed tolprovide' for pivoting of said body to one position to alignv said body relative to said traction means and with saidibody lcoveringsaid elements and to another positions touncover said elements' to an extent permitting servicing of said elements, and means providing a power connection from said engine' to said tractionmeansin. any pivoted positionof said body.

-2. 'In combination, tractor traction means includingelements mounted' inthe rear thereof. and normally. requiringperiodic servicing,va tractor body, .pivot;means mounting said tractor body on said tractor traction means.to provide for pivoting of said body to one position to align saidbody relative to .said traction means with said body covering said` elements and toanotherrpostion to ,move said body to uncover. saidelements ,to an extent `permitting servicingofsaid elements,.an earth-working tool operativlyearried by said bodyand extendingl forwardlygof said body, anda .removable link mounted .between said earth-working tool and said tractionr means forcausinga pivoting .otsaidbody relative to said traction means, and said tool responsive to an operation of said tool.

3. In a tractor'loader, traction means havingfaanal drive `.housing carried therein, a tractor body, means pivotallymounting saidY body: on said traction :means-for pivoting about: a transverse axisypositioned' substantially vertically -belowand forwardly of the center. of gravity of said body sulficientlyto compensate for .the'weightof'r any forwardly extending toolpmeans carriediby-said body .to provide a balanced unit, and sothat when said body is in a substantially :horizontal position saidnal drive housing is covered -by ,a portion of vsaid bodypsaid last mentioned means :arranged .so that. said body is4 .pivotable relative 'to said tractionmeans to uncoversaid'tinal drive housing 4to an i extent ,permitting servicing `within said i. final drive housing.

4. In a tractor loader, traction-means having a-liinal drive housing carried therein, -a tractor body carrying a tractor engine, means-pivotally mounting said body on said traction means for-pivoting about a transverse axis positioned substantially vertically below and forwardly of the center of :gravity of said body suiciently to compensate for the weight of any forwardly extending tool means by4 said .body to provide a balanced unit, and so that when said body is in a substantially horizontal position said final drive housing is covered by a portionof said body, said last mentioned means further arranged so that said body is pivotable to uncover said iinal drive housing toan extent permitting servicing within said final drive housing from the upper surface thereof, and means providing a power connection from saidatractor engine -to said iinal drive housing in any pivoted position of said tractor body relative to said traction means.

5. In a tractor loader, traction means having a final drive housing carried therein, a tractor body, means pivotally mounting said body on said traction means so that when said body is in a substantially horizontal position said final drive housing is covered by a portion of said body, said last mentioned means arranged so that said body is pivotablerelative to said traction means to uncover said final drive housing to an extent permitting servicing within said final drive housing, an earthworking tool operatively carried by said body, and means mountable in cooperation with said traction means and said earth-working tool to enable operation of said earthworking tool to pivot said tool and said body relative to said traction means to an extent permitting servicing within said final drive housing.

6. In a tractor loader, traction means having a final drive housing carried substantially at the rear end thereof, a tractor body having an engine compartment carried substantially on the rear portion of said body and having an opertators compartment disposed forwardly of said engine compartment, an engine secured in said engine compartment means pivotally mounting said body on said traction means on a transverse axis below said operators compartment so that when `said body is in a substantially horizontal position said final drive housing is covered by said engine compartment and so that said body and any earth-working tool carried thereby to extend forwardly thereof forms a substantially balanced unit on said transverse axis, said last mentioned means further arranged so that said body is pivotable relative to said traction means to raise said engine compartment above said final drive housing to an extent permitting servicing within said final drive housing.

7. In a tractor loader as claimed in claim 6, wherein removable means is provided connected between said body and said traction means for manually securing said body in a certain position relative to said traction means.

8. In a tractor loader, traction means having a final drive housing carried substantially at the rear end thereof, a tractor body'having an engine compartment carried substantially on the rear portion of said body and having an operators compartment disposed forwardly of said engine compartment, an engine secured in said engine compartment means pivotally mounting said body on said traction means on a transverse axis below said operators compartment so that when said body is in a substantially horizontal position said final drive housing is covered by said engine compartment and so that said body and any earth-working tool carried thereby to extend forwardly thereof forms a substantially balanced unit on said transverse axis, said last mentioned means further arranged so that said body is pivotable relative to said traction means to raise said engine compartment above said final drive housing to an extent permitting servicing Within said final drive housing, and means providing a power connection from said engine to said final drive housing in any pivoted position of said body relative to said traction means.

9. In a tractor loader, traction means having a final drive housing carried substantially at the rear end thereof, a tractor body having an engine compartment carried substantially on the rear portion of said body and having Aan operators compartment disposed forwardly of said engine compartment, an engine secured in said engine compartment control means mounted in said operators compartment, means pivotally mounting said body on said tracn'on means on a transverse axis below said operators compartment so that when -said body is in a substantially horizontal position said nal drive housing is covered by said engine compartment and so that said body and any earth-working tool carried thereby to extend forwardly thereof forms a substantially balanced unit on said transverse j axis, said last mentioned means 'further arranged so that said body is pivotable relative to said traction means to raise said engine compartment above said final drive housing to an extent permiting servicing' within said final drive housing, and linkage means for operatively connecting said control members to said final drive housing in `any pivoted position of said body relative to said traction means.

10. In a tractor loader, traction means having a final drive housing carried substantially at the rear= end thereof, said nal drive housing including elements normally requiring periodic servicing, a tractor body having `an engine compartment carried on the rear portion of said body and having an operators compartment disposed forwardly of said engine compartment;v an engine secured in said operators compartment said operators compartment carrying control members for controlling said elements in said final -drive housing, means pivotally mounting said body on said traction means on a transverse axis below said operators compartment so that when said body is in a substantially horizontal position said final drive housing is covered by said engine compartment and so that said body and `any earth-working tool carried thereby to extend forwardly thereof forms a substantially balanced unit on said transverse axis, said'last mentioned means further arranged so that said body is pivotable relative to said traction means to raise said engine compartment above said final drive housing to an extent permitting servicing of said elements within said final drive housing, and means providing a power connection from said engine to said final drive housing in any pivoted position of said body relative to said traction means, and linkage means for operatively connecting said control members to said elements in said final drive housing in any pivoted position of said body relative to said traction means.

1-1. In a tractor loader, traction means having a final thereof, a tractor body having an engine compartment drive housing carried substantially at the rear end disposed substantially at the rear portion of said body and having an operators compartment disposed forwardly of said engine compartment, an engine secured in said engine compartment means pivotally mounting said body on said traction means on a transverse axis below said operators compartment so that when said body is in a substantially horizontal position said final drive housing is covered by said engine compartment and so that said body and any earth-working tool carried thereby to extend forwardly thereof forms a substantially balanced unit on said transverse axis, said last mentioned means further arranged so that said body is pivotable relative to said traction means to raise said engine compartment above said final drive housing to an extent permitting servicing of said final drive housing, and means mounted between said traction means and said body for pivoting said body relative to said traction means to an extent permitting servicing within said final drive housing.

12. In a tractor loader, traction means having a final drive housing carried substantially at the rear end thereof, a tractor body having an engine mounted on the rear portion of said body and having an operators compartment disposed forwardly of said engine compartment, means adjustably mounting said body relative to said traction means, power train means interconnecting said engine and said final drive housing, said power train means arranged to maintain said connection in any adjusted position of said body relative to said traction means, control members mounted in said operators compartment, linkage means connecting said control members to said final drive housing, said linkage means arranged to maintain said connection in any adjusted position of said body relative to said traction means.

13. In a tractor loader, traction means having` a final drive housing carried substantially at the rear portion thereof, a tractor body including an engine compartment cartricdisubsmntially at A.the rear Iportion of; said body, and annoperators compartment .carried l by,said .body yand disposed;forwardlysofasaid engine compartment, means piitotallyrmounting'saidJbody on Vsaid traction means so that swhen said ybody is in a substantially horizontal posi` tionfsaidxinal :drive housing is covered by said engine compartment, said. last mentionedimeans arranged so that said body is pivotable relative to. said traction means to raise saidengine compartment fromfsaid'nal drive housing-to1lan extent;permittingsservicing within-said nal driver: housing, iand an earth-working tool operatively carriedbysaid bodyffor pivotal movement relative thereto andfextending'forwardlyof said bodyfandioperable as a lever for pivotngsaid body to :raisesaid engine compartment rfromssaidnnal drive housingrwhensaid tool is securedagainst:supwardzmovementrelative to the traction meansland' the tool is operated.

-l4.'LIn attractor loader,v traction means, a tractor body includingan engine-compartment carriedtsubstantially at thefrear portionof-fsaid body andan operators comoperatively carried by said bodyand extending forwardly of' said body,= said stub shafts and said bearings arranged' so lthat the Acenter of gravity of said body and said earthworking tool is disposed substantially lvertically above the axis of-A said stub shafts.

l "15. `In-a tractor loader,traction-means comprising a pair of spacedapart-crawler track mechanisms, a final drive housing-carried between said crawler trackmechanismsrsubstantially lat the lrear thereof, Aand a pair of transverse supporting beams mounted in aV spaced apart relationshipfto eachother between said crawler track mechanisms, al second-pair of beams mounted in a'spaced apartrelationshipto each other transversely of andv on the upper surfaces of lsaid pair of transverse supporting beams, av pair of axially Vspaced stub shafts carried by said second 'pair ofjbeams,` a tractor body including an engine compartment carried substantially at the rear portion of: said sbodyiandsan operators compartmenta carried by said body and disposediforwardlyoffsaidngine compartment,. an engine l mounted -vin said-engine compartmentwav :pairr lof .axiallyfspacedfbearingsf transversely carried by said body and mountedincooperationwwith saidstub.v shafts sothatnsaid body -is substantially-carried by :said :stub shaftsson saidfcrawler#tracklrnechanisms and sowthatxsaid body is pivotable-relativento-said= crawler track mechanisms, said-i stub .shafts- 1 and: lisaid @bearings arranged so that said=bo,dyfisipivotablerelative to said crawler track'mechanisms tof-raise-said engine comparta mentV from said=nalf drivehousing `to an lextentpermitting servicing IWithinsaid: tinal driveahousing, and a-power connection between'said engine andf said final 'drive-housing, said power connection ybeing for-med and\arranged to deliver power to: said''nalfdriverhousing in=:any-pivot`ed position of said body relative to; said crawler i track mechanisms.

i6. In attractor loader, a-spair-` lof track framesya-pair of driven sprockets rotatively Amounted-iat---oneeendof said track frames, a nalvdrive housingassemblyl having clutches and brakes mounted-therein, said `final drive housing mounted: to saidrtrackframes in a position Vbetween said trackframesratsaid one end -with-,said clutches and brakes-operatively connected to'saidfdriven sprockets, a main frame pivotally mounted-substantially longitudinallyf centrallyy thereof to= said tracky frames Ain a position betweenr said track frames toextend over said liinal -drive housingswhen said Ymain frame isy horizontally positioned and tovspermitffree .access to 'the top -of said v"final drive housing .when said mainframe is positionedin-a downward4 inclined :directionl-toward the vother end-of 4said track1 lframes. l

References Cited infttheir le of :this :patent 'UNIT-ED `STATES vPATENTS 2,002,474 Johnson et al ;,May `21, l1935 `2,141,267 Dillon. Dec. 27,;1938 2,344,821 Kiesel Mar. .21,1944 2,694,581 Helmle Nov.v 16, 1954 2,699,615 Malvese .,Jan. 18, y1955 2,778,131 .Herr` Ian. 22,1957

` ='FOREIGN PATENTS 346,464 ,GreatBritain Apr. 16 1931 1,037,500 'France Apr29, 1953 

